Dr. Kurtzman (1926-2005) was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was a graduate of Princeton University and New York University Medical School. He had a private practice of Ophthalmology from 1961 until 1989. He was on the clinical staff of Roper, St. Francis Xavier, Medical University of South Carolina, and Baker Hospitals. He was President of St. Francis Xavier Hospital Professional Staff from 1973-1974. Dr. Kurtzman was a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Emeritus, Medical University of SC, since July 1990.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. During World War II he served as a Medical Corpsman. During the Korean Conflict, he was deployed to the Mediterranean Ocean. He served as the Senior Flight Surgeon, at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, SC from 1958-1961. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander after serving several years in reserve duty.

Beginning at age ten, he began a noteworthy career in competitive swimming. He was a member of The Princeton University Swim Team, the Florida Maverick Swim Team, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Dr. Kurtzman recently was awarded the Masters Swimming Pioneer Award in recognition of his contributions to International Masters Swimming. During his career as a master swimmer, he set seven World Masters' records and four National Masters' records in the butterfly and breaststroke events. He was fond of saying, "You can't teach a old frog new kicks."